Apparatus including midline takeup device

ABSTRACT

Apparatus including multiple lines extending between spaced locations where a midline takeup device is supported on said lines between said locations constructed to pay out and take in such lines to accommodate slackening and tensioning effects in such lines between said two locations. The device includes a collector holding stored portions of the lines, and is constructed so that parallel reaches of the lines extend out in opposite directions from the collector. The collector may comprise axially spaced mating reel sections, with one holding stored portions of one line and the other holding stored portions of the other line, and a helical spring located between and housed within the reel sections urging rotation of the collector in a direction producing simultaneous takeup of both lines.

United States Patent Primary Examiner-Stanely N. Gilreath Assistant Examiner- Werner H. Schroeder AItorney-Kolisch & Hartwell ABSTRACT: Apparatus including multiple lines extending between spaced locations where a midline takeup device is supported on said lines between said locations constructed to pay out and take in such lines to accommodate slackening and tensioning effects in such lines between said two locations. The device includes a collector holding stored portions of the lines, and is constructed so that parallel reaches of the lines extend out in opposite directions from the collector. The collector may comprise axially spaced mating reel sections, with one holding stored portions of one line and the other holding stored portions of the other line, and a helical spring located between and housed within the reel sections urging rotation of the collector in a direction producing simultaneous takeup of both lines.

PATENTEDAUBZMBH v 3.601.331

sum 1 BF 2 Max Frey Donald M. Faus+ BY INVENTORS W Hui/l! PATENTED AUG24\97\ 3.601. 331

sum 2 [1F 2 Max Frey Donald M.Fa'us+ BY INVENTORS Hffys.

APPARATUS INCLUDING MIDLINE TAKEUP DEVICE This invention relates to a midline takeup device for taking in and paying out portions of lines stored on the device.

In certain industrial applications, a situation is presented 'usual industrial lift truck with elevatable carriage, having hydraulically operated equipment on the carriage requiring the supply and exhaust of hydraulic fluid from a source located on the truck. With a change in elevation in the carriage, the effective length of the supply and exhaust lines extending between the truck and carriage changes requiring that some means be provided for taking in and paying out the lines.

A general object of this invention is to provide, in combination with multiple lines. subjected periodically to slackening and tensioning effects, a novel midline takeup device which is located between extremities of the lines and which is bodily supported by the lines. A particular feature of the invention is a construction wherein tautness in the lines handled by the takeup device is relied upon to prevent twisting and turning of the takeup device with respect to a predetermined plane. This is particularly significant when it is remembered that the device is supported by the lines that it handles and preferably has no other means of support.

To effect this stabilizing of the takeup device, the invention contemplates that the lines handled by the device extend out from opposite sides of the device in parallel reaches. With the lines generally maintained taut by the takeup device, this parallel relationship of the lines is effective to maintain the device in a predetermined angular position relative to the plane mentioned above.

Another feature and object of the invention is to provide a midline takeup device which is characterized by a relatively simple construction.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a novel midline takeup device which is relatively easily installed on pair of lines to be supported by the lines.

These and other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

' FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a lift truck which includes hose lines extending from the lift truck to an attachment mounted on an elevatable carriage provided at the forward end of the truck, the hose lines between their extremities supporting a midline takeup device as contemplated herein;

FIG. 2 is a view, taken generally along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1, further illustrating the hydraulic lines and the midline takeup device supported by such lines;

FIG. 3 is a view on a somewhat larger scale, illustrating the midline takeup device with portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 44 in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along the line 5-5 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view, taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 7, of a modified form of midline takeup device; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6, further illustrating the modified form of takeup device.

Turning now to the drawings, and first of all more particularly to FIG. 1, 10 indicates generally a lift truck which is provided at the forward end thereof with a vertical mast assembly 12. The mast assembly may include the usual upwardly extensible inner mast section 13 telescopically received within an outer mast section 14, and a carriage, partially shown at 16, movable vertically along the inner mast section. The mast assembly is actuatable in a conventional manner to raise the carriage on the inner mast section and the inner mast section on the outer mast section, for the purpose of raising a load. Partially shown at 18 is an attachment mounted on the carriage, the attachment being of the type that-includes a hydraulic motor (not shown) requiring the provision of a pair of hydraulic lines for the supply and exhaust of hydraulic fluid to and from the motor.

Such hydraulic lines or hoses are shown at 20, 22 in FIG. 2 (line 20 being obscured by line 22 in FIG. 1). The lines extend from the lift truck proper through a clamp or positioning means 24 which secures the lines with line 22 disposed laterally outwardly of line 20 at a location adjacent the base of the mast assembly. The lines extend upwardly from this clamp and thence about a double sheave 26 joumaled on the top of inner mast section 13. This double sheave constitutes another positioning means at a location spaced vertically from the location of clamp 24. Sheave 26 holds the lines with line 22 disposed laterally outwardly of line 20', i.e., in a directionally similar laterally offset relation as the laterally offset relation of the lines at clamp 24. From the double sheave the lines extend downwardly to a connection with the attachment.

A midline takeup device is shown generally at 30. Parallel reaches of lines 20, 22 extend upwardly from this device to double sheave 26, and parallel reaches of the lines extend in the opposite direction or downwardly from such device to clamp 24. As will become more fully apparent, the takeup device is supported entirely by the lines, i.e., there need be no connection between the takeup device and the mast assembly proper.

As probably best understood with reference to FIG. 1, on upward movement of the carriage in the attachment, until such time as the attachment reaches approximately the elevation of double sheave 26, slack is introduced into the lines so that a slackening efiect exists between clamp 24 and the double sheave. As will be more fully discussed, with this slackening effect existing, the midline takeup device takes up the lines, with storing of portions of the lines in the device, to maintain a taut condition in the lines. On the carriage moving farther upwardly on the mast assembly with extension of the mast assembly (or with downward return movement of the carriage), the effective lengths of the lines between the clamp and the carriage increase, with a tensioning effect then existing between the clamp and the double sheave. As also will be more fully discussed, the takeup device then pays out the lines to accommodate this tensioning effect.

Considering now particulars of the construction of the takeup device and referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, indicated generally at 32 is a so-called collector comprising (as can best be seen in FIG. 4) a pair of mating, axially spaced reel sections 34, 36. The reel sections are similar, in that each includes an inner housing plate of substantially circular outline, shown for the two reel sections at 34a and 360. As illustrated with reference to reel 36 in FIG. 3, joined to the outer side of its housing plate are a pair of flanges 36b, 36c extending in a course of approximately teardrop outline. Defined between these flanges, and extending diametrically across the center of the reel section, is a serpentine channel 38 adapted snugly to receive an expanse of line, as illustrated by the expanse of hydraulic line 22 which is lodged within this channel. Reel section 34 which is behind reel section 36 in FIG. 3 has similar flanges defining a similar serpentine groove, such groove holding hydraulic line 20 with such paralleling line 26 where such extends through the takeup device.

Referring to FIG. 4, reel section 34 includes a hub 40 which extends axially to the right of its housing plate in FIG. 4, and which provides the axial spacing between the two reel sections. The reel sections are secured together by fasteners 42. These fasteners are also employed to secure a strap 44 holding hose 22 in place. Ordinarily it is necessary to strap only one of such hoses in this manner, and thus hose 20 is shown in FIG. 4 disposed within a groove and without such a strap holding it.

Shroud plates 50, 52 are secured over the outer sides of the reel sections using fasteners 54 screwed into internally threaded bosses 56.

Further describing the takeup device, what is referred to herein as a collector mounting or mounting plate is shown at 60. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, such includes an annular portion 60a which is disposed between the housing plates of the reel sections. Integral with annular portion 60a is a projecting portion 6012 which extends radially upwardly beyond the peripheries of the reel sections in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Equally circumferentially spaced about annular portion 6011 are roller bearing assemblies 62, mounted in place on the annular portion with pins 64. These roller bearing assemblies have outer peripheries contacting turned-in rim regions 66, 68 of the housing plates. The bearing assemblies provide a rotatable mounting for the reel sections, with the reel sections being rotatable with respect to the mounting plate about an axis coinciding with the center axes of the reel sections.

A helical spring 70 is mounted between the reel sections and housed within housing plates 34a, 36a. The outer extremity of this spring is anchored to the mounting plate through turned-over end 70a fitting within notch 72 of the mounting plate. Inner end 70b of the spring fits within an accommodating groove 74 provided in hub 40 of reel section 34. The spring exerts a bias tending to urge the reel sections in a clockwise direction relative to the mounting plate in FIGS. 3 and 5.

Roller guides 76, 78 are joumaled on the upper extremity of projecting portion 60b of the mounting plate. With the takeup device assembled, sides of the lines or hoses extending into the takeup device extend along and bear against these roller guides. The reaction force produced by the spring in the mounting plate urges these guides in a counterclockwise direction and against the right sides of the lines in FIG. 5.

With the construction shown, it is an easy matter to assemble the lines in the takeup device with the spring exerting a proper bias between the reel sections and the mounting plate. Prior to mounting the hoses in place, the reel sections are turned in a counterclockwise direction relative to the mounting plate in FIG. 5, to obtain proper tensioning of the helical spring. With proper tensioning achieved, a pin is placed within a bore 80 provided in the mounting plate, which coacts with a detent 82 on the rim region of a reel section to prevent unwinding of the spring. The hoses or lines may then be mounted in place, and the shroud plates assembled on the device, after which the pin is removed to enable the spring to tend to wind up the hoses'on the reel sections. With winding, midregions of the lines wrap around the flanges, such as flanges 36b, 360 shown in FIG. 3, whereby stored portions of the two lines are held in the takeup device.

The takeup device as contemplated needs but a single central spring. Because assembly of the hoses with the device is so readily accomplished, it is an easy matter to replace the lines or hoses when such is necessary.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be noted that the takeup device maintains both lines taut where they extend between the clamp and the double sheave, with he reaches extending upwardly from the takeup device disposed parallel to each other and laterally offset, and the reaches which extend downwardly being similarly disposed, i.e., parallel to each other and laterally offset in the same direction. Each line including its stored portions lies in a plane, and this plane parallels the plane of the other line. The plane of the takeup device, which may generally be described as a plane extending normal to the rotation axis of the reel, parallels the planes of the lines, and is maintained perpendicular and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lift truck in FIG. 1, since any twisting of turning of the takeup device from this plane necessitates some elongation in the lines which is resisted by the taut condition existing in the lines produced by biased reel sections in the takeup device. Because of this, there need be no stabilizing of the takeup device on the side of the mast assembly, and the takeup device can be left entirely supported by the lines, with such moving vertically beside the mast assembly with rotation of the reel sections to take in or pay out line, as the case may be.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate yet another modification of the invention. As illustrated in these figures, two reel sections are provided, shown at and 92. The reel sections are secured together by fasteners 96, and are shaped so that on being secured against each other, a serpentine channel is defined extending around the perimeter of the reel sections and then diametrically across the axial center of the reel sections, which channel is adapted to receive windings of the lines, as best illustrated in FIG. 6. The two lines handled by the takeup device are would up in such channel with the lines side by side, as best illustrated in FIG. 7. An elongated spring member 100, with an inner end 102 anchored to the reel section's by fastener 104, and having an inverted question mark configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 6, supports the two hoses where such spring member extends in a curving course from flange portion 106 of the reel sections to an outer end 103. This outer end 103 of the spring member encircles the stud portion 108 ofa fastener 110. Fastener 110, in turn, through opposed brackets 112 and fastener 114, supports a roller 116. Roller 116 snugly engages side regions of the lines, and is efi'ective to clamp such lines against the upper end of the spring member where such passes around stud portion 108. The roller and associated structure function to hold the takeup device with such suspended on the two lines which are contained in windings on the reel sections.

It should be obvious that on lower extremities of the two lines contained on the takeup device being pulled downwardly with respect to upper extremities, there is a partial unwinding of the spring member, with paying out of stored portions of the lines. On relaxation of such tension the spring member rewinds with taking in of the lines.

As in the case of the first modification of the invention discussed, the reaches of the two lines extending upwardly from the takeup device are parallel and laterally offset, and similarly, the reaches extending downwardly from the device are parallel and laterally offset. The two reaches of a line together with its stored portions on the takeup device occupy a plane which is parallel to the plane of the reaches of the other line. Tension produced in he two lines tend to maintain the takeup device with its plane paralleling the planes defined by the lines.

The takeup device may be used with other lines than hydraulic lines, such as electrical cables, pneumatic hoses, etc.

While several modifications of the invention have been described, obviously variations and further modifications are possible without departing from the invention, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

We claim:

1 In apparatus including a pair of lines extending between spaced locations, line positioning means holding the lines in laterally offset relation at one of said locations, and another line positioning means holding the lines in directionally similar laterally offset relation at the other of said locations, the lines between such locations being subject to slackening and tensioning effects: a midline takeup device supported on said lines between said locations permitting paying out and reeling in of such lines to accommodate such slackening and tensioning effects; said takeup device including a rotatable collector holding stored portions of both lines, with parallel reaches of both lines extending out in one direction from the collector to one positioning means and with parallel reaches of both lines extending out from the collector in the opposite direction to the other of said positioning means; the two reaches of one line which extend out from opposite directions from the collector together with the lines stored portions on the collector occupying a common plane normal to the axis of the collector and the two reaches of the other line which extend out from opposite directions from the collector together with such other liness stored portions occupying a common plane parallel to said first mentioned plane; said collector having courses for holding the stored portions of the two lines which extend in the same direction in the collector whereby rotation of the collector in one direction simultaneously pays out both lines and rotation of the collector in the pposite direction simultaneously takes in both lines.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the takeup device includes a collector mounting, the collector is rotatably mounted on said mounting, and spring means is provided interposed between the collector and mounting urging rotation of the collector in a direction producing simultaneous taking up of both lines.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein guide means is provided mounted on said collector mounting spaced radially from the rotation axis of the collector, said guide means being forced against sides of said lines by the reaction force produced in said mounting by said spring means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collector comprises a spring member which extends in a curved course about the rotation axis of the collector, the lines are operatively secured to the spring member, and the stored portions of both lines extend along such course and are supported by such spring member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collector comprises axially spaced mating reel sections joined together, one holding stored portions of one line and the other holding stored portions of the other line, and a helical spring is located between and housed within the reel sections urging rotation of the collector in a direction producing simultaneous takeup of both lines,

6. The apparatus of claim 5, which further comprises a collector mounting which includes a portion which is disposed between the reel sections and encircles said spring, said spring having one end anchored to the mounting and an opposite end anchored to the reel sections, said mounting carrying means rotatably supporting the reel sections on the mounting.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the collector mounting extends radially of the collector beyond the periphery of the reel sections, and a guide is mounted on said collector mounting on such projecting portion of the collector which is urged against said lines. 

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the takeup device includes a collector mounting, the collector is rotatably mounted on said mounting, and spring means is provided interposed between the collector and mounting urging rotation of the collector in a direction producing simultaneous taking up of both lines.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein guide means is provided mounted on said collector mounting spaced radially from the rotation axis of the collector, said guide means being forced against sides of said lines by the reaction force produced in said mounting by said spring means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collector comprises a spring member which extends in a curved course about the rotation axis of the collector, the lines are operatively secured to the spring member, and the stored portions of both lines extend along such course and are supported by such spring member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collector comprises axially spaced mating reel sections joined together, one holding stored portions of one line and the other holding stored portions of the other line, and a helical spring is located between and housed within the reel sections urging rotatioN of the collector in a direction producing simultaneous takeup of both lines.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, which further comprises a collector mounting which includes a portion which is disposed between the reel sections and encircles said spring, said spring having one end anchored to the mounting and an opposite end anchored to the reel sections, said mounting carrying means rotatably supporting the reel sections on the mounting.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the collector mounting extends radially of the collector beyond the periphery of the reel sections, and a guide is mounted on said collector mounting on such projecting portion of the collector which is urged against said lines. 